7.30.2011

Blood, Smoke, and Mirrors

Wrongly accused of using her magic to harm, the closest Catherine Baker comes to helping others is serving their coffee. Life as an outcast is nothing new, thanks to her father’s reputation, but the injustice stings. Especially since the man she loved turned her in.

Now the man has the gall to show up and suggest she become the next Titania? She’d rather wipe that charming grin off his face with a pot of hot java to the groin.

Alexander Duquesne has never faltered in his duties as a guardian-until now. The lingering guilt over Cat’s exile and the recent death of his best friend have shaken his dedication. With the murder of the old Titania, the faerie realm teeters on the brink of chaos. His new orders: keep Cat alive at all costs.

Hunted by a powerful stranger intent on drawing her into an evil web, Cat reluctantly accepts Lex’s protection and the resurrected desire that comes along with it. Lex faces the fight of his life to keep her safe...and win her back. If they both survive.

Years ago, Catherine broke a magic law. Despite the act being in self defense, her by-the-book guardian boyfriend, Lex, turned her in to the Council. Neither expected the harsh punishment of exile that was inflicted and their relationship ended there.

Now Lex is back, with news that the reigning Titania is dead and he wants Cat to take her place. There's only one other person contending for the job and that's Cat's father, Dorian.

Unpredictably is at the heart of this story. It really isn't possibly to even guess what's about to come next. With her own necromancer father as her mortal enemy, and faeries for cousins, former witch Cat has a very colorful life. When she decides to take on the challenge for Titania, it's battle after battle. And loved ones begin to die.

Getting Cat the title of Titania is only half the story. From there, things get even more complicated with a magic induced love triangle and it *so* made me long for the next Sagara book. Two men, both with good qualities and more than their fair share of faults. She and Lex share a past, and he's undeniably her soulmate despite his screw ups. Zach Harrison has ulterior motives but is well capable of promising and delivering on a multitude of dreams. *growls* And just like Nightshade, Zach steals way too many kisses. 4 out of 5 stars.

My, aren't we being a bit hasty? Lex may have turned her in, but Zach used magic against her knowledge to bind them together so she nor her family could kill him without killing her too. Sound like something Nightshade would do? I think so.